Disclaimer: I don't own any part of The Nanny…yet.

A/N: What would happen if the world as you knew it, changed over night? Well, that's what happens in this little tale. Niles/CC and Max/Fran.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

Chapter 1

"I'm going home, Max." CC called from the office hoping to pull Max away from Fran for just a minute.

Max called from some hidden corner of the mansion. "Very good, CC. I'll see you tomorrow."

"He's probably in some hidden corner of the mansion in the arms of Nanny Fine." CC grumbled as she made her way to the foyer.

Niles was fast on her heels. "One can only hope, Babs."

"Stow it Merry Maid. I don't get it, Niles. What do you get out of Max and Nanny Fine getting together?" CC asked as he helped her slip on her coat.

Niles sighed and thought, "If only I could actually tell you…" "I get to see my two closest friends happy and enjoying a life of love together."

"Wouldn't you rather have a life like that yourself?" CC asked unsure why.

Niles looked at her oddly and their eyes locked for a moment. "Well, of course I would. But as you've told me on more than one occasion, I'm not getting any younger and I'm just a butler. Who'd want me?" Niles broke off their odd gaze and headed back into the kitchen.

"I so wish I could tell you, just who'd want you Niles." CC whispered and left the mansion.


The next morning started like any other. The door bell rang out and Niles answered the call. He opened the door to the usual, "Hello, hello." CC sang her entrance. "Good morning, Benson, where is everyone today?"

"Why so chipper? Who did you fire today?" Niles took her coat and hung it in the closet.

"Oh, no special reason, Niles. I just got a call from my broker and he says he's got very big plans for my money and I should watch the 10 am news." CC made her way to the den and clicked on the TV, where she and Niles heard…

"In today's financial news, prominent New York broker Stanley Holmes has fled the country after cleaning out the accounts of more than a dozen of his largest clients. Rumor has it that Mr. Holmes, broker to Broadway's biggest names, found a glitch in the computer system which allowed him access not only to his client's brokerage accounts, but their bank accounts as well. The SEC is looking into the issue and seeking any news as to the whereabouts of Stanley Holmes."

CC turned white as a sheet. "I…I have to go to the bank, Niles…" CC tries to stand ad nearly collapses.

"I'll drive." Niles catches CC and helps her to the front door. "Can you stand?" CC nods and Niles releases her long enough to put on his coat and help her into hers. "Ok, Miss Babcock, let's go to the bank.


Hours later and with little more information than she'd left with, CC and Niles return to the mansion. Max and Fran are on the sofa watching the news unfold before them. Niles helped CC to a chair and took a watchful stance next to her. "CC, what did the bank say?" Max asked.

"He took everything. I had three accounts and they were all cleaned out. I can file a claim to get the FSDIC insurance on the first 100K in each account, but that won't last long." CC's eyes weren't really focusing. "I'm sorry, Niles, Fran…I know that's a lot of money, it's just that…I have a lot of expenses."

The foursome sat in silence for a few minutes when they heard coming from the TV… "Well folks, we finally have a winner in the New York Mega Millions…today's drawing is worth 85 million dollars. The numbers are…4, 11, 20, 26, 36 and the mega ball is 46. Congratulations to the big winner! That's all for us tonight…" Max clicked off the TV.

"Uh…Niles…" Fran started noticing the look of sheer shock on Niles' face. "Are ya ok, Honey?"

Niles' head snapped up and he looked at his friend. "I won the lottery."

"You what!" Fran leapt up from the sofa. "Are ya sure?" Fran ran to his side. "Where's your ticket? How do you know if ya don't check your ticket?"

Niles still in shock stared straight ahead. "I play the same numbers every drawing, I have since April the first time the jackpot was over 75 million. It's just a silly habit."

"A silly habit that paid off! Niles, you're a millionaire! 85 times over!" Fran tried to shake him out of his stupor.

Max stood shaking his head. "Congratulations, old man. It couldn't have happened to a better more deserving person." Fran elbowed Max and nodded at CC who still sat in the chair more in shock that even Niles. "Oh, sorry, CC."

CC sighed and stood up. "That's alright, Max. Congratulations, Niles." CC touched his arm lightly. "I'm going to head home now Max. I'll see you in the morning." Niles started toward the front door. "No, Niles. No more butlering for you, I'll get my own coat." The three of them just stood and watched as a defeated CC Babcock slipped into her coat and left the mansion.

"Max," Fran started. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

Max sighed. "CC is the strongest and smartest woman I know, sorry, Fran. She'll be fine."

Max and Fran started toward the front steps. "Hey, Niles…are ya comin' to bed?"

"I'll go up shortly, Fran. I have a few things to take care of in the kitchen." Niles winked at her. "Good night."

"Max," Fran whispered as they headed up the stairs. "What do you think Niles is going to do?"

Max laughed lightly. "Niles is the smartest man I know…he'll be just fine too."

"Ya know what, Max?" Fran started. "I think you need some new material."


Niles found himself sitting at the kitchen table picking at a slice of raspberry swirl cheese cake. "I can't believe it. I've won the lottery and all I can think about is how bad I feel for CC. I never thought those numbers would win. CC's birthday, my birthday, her age and mine. I should just give her halft the money." Niles shook his head. "No, she'd never take it." Niles looked down at the now mangled dessert. "Eww, even Sylvia wouldn't eat that…well, maybe Sylvia." Niles tossed out the dessert and made his way up to his room. "I suppose I should make a list of what I need to take care of now that I can actually afford to take care of it." Niles frowned at his convoluted thoughts.

CC sat restlessly on the sofa in her apartment and looked around. "All this stuff, I've spent thousands of dollars on for what. No one ever sees this apartment. Well, Niles has been here a few times. Dropping things off or picking things up. There are two jewelry chests in my bedroom filled with expensive one of a kind broaches, bracelets, and necklaces that I really don't even like. I don't know how not to have money, but I never really needed it." CC sighed and lay down on her sofa. She slept less than soundly.

She was snapped out of sleep in the morning by the rapid knocking on her door. CC pulled herself up and opened the door to find the building manager. "Miss Babcock, I'm sorry to wake you, but there is some question as to your rent for this month."

"Huh?" CC rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "My rent is paid automatically. By my…bank." CC nearly crumbled. "I'm sorry, Mr. Thomas. I'm sure you've heard about Stanley Holmes?"

Mr. Thomas nodded. "Oh, Miss Babcock, I'm sorry. Were you one of his clients?" CC nodded. "I'll do what I can to buy you sometime, but you know about the waiting list for these penthouse apartments. Let me know as soon as you have any idea what's going on. I'm really, sorry." Mr. Thomas left CC standing in her doorway on the verge of tears.

"Great. Now I'm going to lose my apartment." CC sighed. "I'd better get to work before I lose my job too." CC closed the door and set about getting ready to head to the mansion.

CC was ready in record time. As she made her way through the lobby of her building, Mr. Thomas approached her. "Miss Babcock. I've got some rather disturbing news."

"What is it now, Mr. Thomas?" CC tried to be polite, it wasn't his fault that her broker was a thief or that the owner of her penthouse wanted his rent money.

"The Cleveland's have sold your penthouse." Mr. Thomas delivered quietly.

CC laughed sadly. "I've tried to get them to sell it to me for over a year. Why now?"

"It would seem they had every intention of selling it to you until they found out about…your…situation." Mr. Thomas frowned at all that was going wrong for CC. "The new owner is planning on a few changes and asks that you have everything out by the end of the month, but he's waving this month's rent."

CC sighed. "I guess that's better than being evicted altogether. Thank you, Mr. Thomas. I promise that I'll have everything out by the end of this month." CC started again toward the door. "Mr. Thomas." CC turned and called back to him. "I want you to know how happy I've been here, in case I don't see you again."

"Thank you, Miss Babcock. It's been a pleasure having you as a resident. If there is every anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask." Mr. Thomas knew that CC Babcock wasn't always the most pleasant woman to be around, but no one deserved to go through what she was going through.

CC opened the door to the mansion. "Hello, hello!" She called with a little less enthusiasm than usual. Niles met her in the foyer.

"Good morning, Miss Babcock, are you feeling any better?" Niles knew the answer but desperately needed something to say.

CC sighed. "Niles, I'm going to need your help a few evenings this month. I have to pack up my apartment. The Cleveland's sold it and I need to vacate by the end of the month."

"I'm sorry, Miss Babcock. I'd be happy to help. I have a large storage facility that is practically empty if you'd like to store some of your things there. It's very secure." Niles responded.

"Thanks, Niles. That would be great. Is Max in the office?" Niles nodded as he watched her start toward the office. "Could you bring me some tea?"

"Certainly, Miss Babcock." Niles answered quietly.

Niles made his way back into the kitchen to fine Fran sitting at the table with a gallon tub of Rocky Road ice cream and a spoon. "Is something wrong, Miss Fine?"

"Oh, Niles. I just don't know what to do about Max." Fran waited.

Niles nodded his thoughts were elsewhere. "What has he done this time…wait a minute?" Niles suddenly looked up. "Did you just call Mr. Sheffield 'Max'?"

Fran jumped up from her chair and she and Niles shared a hug and jumped around a little. "I feel terrible." Fran suddenly stopped her celebration and sat back down.

"How much of that ice cream did you eat?" Niles asked and went back to making the tea.

Fran closed up the container and returned it to the freezer. "It's not the ice cream, Niles. It's Miss Babcock. She gets this horrible news that all her money is gone and then all these good things happen to us. It just seems wrong. I mean I know she's not the nicest woman on the planet, but still."

"I understand completely, Fran, really I do." Niles poured the water into the tea pot. "I have all these plans about what to do with my new found wealth, and somehow it all seems less important than before." They shared a look and Niles left the kitchen with the tea tray.


"Yes, I understand completely. Don't apologize. That's fine. I appreciate your call." CC closed her cell phone. "Well I suppose that shouldn't really surprise me."

Max looked up from his desk as Niles poured their tea. "What's that CC?"

"That was the stable master where I board my horses in upstate New York. He didn't receive this month's boarding fees. I keep six horses there, Max. What am I going to do with them?" CC sighed and took her tea from Niles. "Thanks, Niles."

"Miss Babcock, I don't mean to overstep, but how long will it take you to get that claim from the FSDIC for your funds?" Niles asked most politely.

"I got that call before I left home. The FSDIC denied my claim. The money wasn't really stolen because he had access to my account. In order to pursue it, I have to sue them. I've looked into that and it would end up costing me more than the 300k I'd get in the claim." CC sipped at her tea.

"Mr. Sheffield," Niles started hoping that Max would catch on to the subtle hints. "Don't you still have that old property in Pennsylvania?" Niles gave Max his best 'please go along with this' face.

"Wait, you're right, Niles. CC I have a property in Pennsylvania where you could keep the horses. I haven't been there in sometime, but it should be fine, provided it meets with your approval." Max did his level best to be convincing all while not offering more than he could since he didn't have any idea what Niles was talking about.

"Really, Max?" CC looked at him oddly. "I don't remember any property in Pennsylvania. When did you get it?"

"Oh, I've had it for years…even I don't remember exactly." Max avoided her gaze and went back to his work. "Niles, could you assist CC with the transfer of her animals to the property?"

Niles grinned slyly. "Of course, Sir. Miss Babcock, if you just give me the information as to the location and needs of your horses, I'll see to everything."

"That would be very nice of you Niles. I have so much going on now with having to move and everything else…" CC fished for the business card she kept for the boarding facility.

"Move?" Fran asked as she joined them in the office. "Who's movin'?"

"I am." CC answered simply. "Here, Niles." CC handed him the card for the stables. "I have to vacate my apartment by the end of the month. The Cleveland's finally decided to sell it. The overseas owner is making changes and I need to be out. But he's waving this month's rent." CC put on her best sarcastic face.